22 oz. bomber poured into a Duvel Tulip style glass. Liquid comes out extremely dark brown with deep amber to brown highlights on the side. Head is a bit smaller than one finger thick, lots of different sized bubbles, slight glass retention from the head. The color of the head is sort of a mahogany/black cherry color to dark brown. The liquid itself provides some glass retention.

Smell is a huge malt bomb. Provides a dark, bitter chocolate smell, but not completely bitter. Some milk chocolate as well, even smells creamy, if that makes sense. Sort of a decadent chocolate sauce. Some dark coffee to espresso aromas as well, but sort of a back lash of it. The blend of all the aromas is absolutely great.

Taste is just as good, as perfect as it gets. Like the bottle says, plenty of dark bitter chocolate. Super dark fudge and some dark grains somewhere in the mix. There is some sweetness as well, sort of like espresso with hints of sugar. Milk chocolate as well. I can't quite figure it out, but there's almost a bourbon flavor and I don't think this is barrel aged.

Mouthfeel is perfect. Strong, full bodied. Great carbonation level, that's held up great since the aging. Smooth, creamy, thick to almost chewy mouthfeel, it's great. Hop presence detected in the mouthfeel. Great drinkability too, nice sipper, but way to easy to drink if you don't want to. On top of that, the value is perfect. I think this was like $7 when it was out as a seasonal. So bummed this beer is retired. I could drink it year round. Just a perfect beer to have around. I miss you Stone 12th! Huge props to everyone who traded with me for this beer over the last 3 years!

S: You really get the roasty booze scent with lingering chocolate up front

T: The flavor has really held up in this beer with wonderful light carbonation with an almond nuttiness blend with roast and sweet chocolate. Raisins and figs fall through and are more noticeable at the finish

M: Very full bodies with light carbonation a medium sweetness that allows one to indulge in the entire bottle solo.

O: Has been cellared in proper conditions and it really shows. Flavors are bold & rich, complementing of each other with every sip. Very pleased with this, and i still have 3 more tucked away.

A - Pours a dark motor-oil black with a dense mocha head that settles to a slight ring and haze.S - Big aromas of bitter dark chocolate, roasted malt, and dark berries with a touch of soy sauce and smoke. Tiny bit of oxidation has crept in, but it's not a big deal.T - Similar to the nose, lots of dark chocolate and roasted malt with some burnt toast, smoke, and soy sauce. Finish is long and bitter, similar to a 90% cocoa chocolate bar.M - Smooth and more then a bit sticky, with a full mouthfeel and low carbonation. Quite decadent, but still surprisingly drinkable.O - Such a great anniversary beer from Stone. Found this in an out-of-the-way liquor store and grabbed it in a heartbeat. One of the best investments I've made considering how well this has held up after 3 1/2 years.

JULY 2008 Vintage- 22oz bottle at about fridge temp poured into a boulevard tulip.

pours out opaque black with about one fingers worth of tan, light mocha colored head that eventually faded to a paper thin retentive layer. some spotty lace and a little bit of legs apparent from a swirl of the glass.

sweet toasted malts, bitter roasted malts are at the forefront. some hints of smokiness and some light cocoa as well.

slightly fruity toasted, roasted malts, a little bit of sweetness and a hint of smoke. some bitter dark cocoa towards the finish.

the lighter side of heavy bodied, carbonation is about right on for the style. maybe expected a little more oiliness from the oatmeal?

although i have had this fresh, i only vaguely remember what it tasted like. it was right when i was starting to get serious with craft beer and right before i began taking notes on what i was drinking. although this stood up to the age very well, a part of me wants to say this was better fresh.

A: Pours out a deep motor oil black with about a half finger of mocha colored head. There is only a tiny bit of lacing left on the glass as it drinks. This beer has some serious legs. It's incredibly viscous and sticky.

S: I'm picking up sweet malt, bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, and caramel. There is also a bit of a burnt toast note in there as well, but it's subtle beneath the bittersweet chocolate.

T: The taste is on par with the smell. It starts off with a bit of earthiness, chocolate, and vanilla. The finish is more chocolate, with notes of caramel and burnt toast. It's really solid.

M: Full bodied beer. This is a thick and sticky beer, but the flavors are spot on, and nothing lingers on the palate for too long. It's silky and smooth going down.

O: This is a really nice stout and age has treated this beer well. I feel very lucky to have tried this beer well past it's retirement. I'd drink it again if I could find another bottle.

T/M- Nice, it's not oxidized in taste. Has a rubbery, roasted malt component with some slight heat. Dark chocolate as well and a slight smokiness. Age has really melded the flavors, because not one aspect of it pops or overshadows the others. Very slick feel with moderate, almost low carbonation.

O- Pretty good, not amazing, but would definitely drink again. Its 4 years old and it has held up well. Not complex, but balanced and smooth, even with a touch of heat on the palate.

A - Pours a thick, silky, pitch black with about a quarter inch of dark, heavy foam that clings mightily to the glass. A sexy brew.

S - Powerful roasted malt with lots of chocolate and coffee aroma, with a smattering of vanilla and sweet, grainy oats. Par for the course for a big bombastic stout, but still really good.

T - The alcohol is a little apparent in the aftertaste, but otherwise, it's a smooth, oily, bitter, roasty beast of a stout.

M - Heavy, oily, mouth-coating, bordering on syrupy with how dense it is.

Overall - Share this one. The booze goes right to your head. I'm currently halfway through it and already feeling it. Also let it warm up a little. the chocolate and oats really awaken if consumed at around cellar temperature. Either way, I'd highly recommend seeking this one out. Too bad it was only brewed once, I'd totally buy this one more often.